Taking seedlings outside--when is it worth the effort?

ellieandethansmom(7)February 16, 2005

We have been having some nice weather and I have set out a few of the seedlings and propogated plants that I have overwintered.

I bring them out into full sun for a few hours then bring them back in when the temp starts to drop. This isn't the easiest of chores and today I wondered, does this 'real' sunlight (4 hours about every 3-4 days) help them grow better than if I were to keep them under shoplights? Does this make any difference or am I just wasting time and ruining my carpet by tracking in mud?

I am nowhere near ready to harden anything off, this is just intended to give the lil' guys some good food. Just not sure this is worth the time/effort??? Any info is appreciated!

Four hours of sunlight is almost certainly better than those four hours under your lights, but I don't think its exactly make or break difference if its only every 3 or 4 days. Four hours of sun every day would be a big help I'm sure for those greedy annuals.